Orlando Pirates got back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after defeating Golden Arrows 3-1 at Orlando Stadium.
No fresh entries on the front of the Sea Robbers off the loss to Cape Town City came, but lined-up against a certain Ntsako Makhubela which the Soweto giants loaned to Arrows just recently.
Pirates struggled seconds in and conceded an opening as a flying shot from close-range by Knox Mutizwa brought a solid palm of Sipho Chaine in the wake of misplaced possession around the area.
The host though made the breakthrough just after the water-break when Monnapule Saleng sneaked in at the near post of the area and turned home a cross from Bandile Shandu.
Pirates should've found a second a little following the half-hour mark with a pin-point header by Thabang Monare following a corner-kick, but the midfielder went wide of the far post.
Miguel Timm made way for Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo before Shandu removed duty for fellow fullback and former Cape Town City man Craig Martin in two alterations for the Buccaneers
Saleng should've doubled the cushion as well as his own with a first-time shot in the heart of the area off Deon Hotto's cutback, but he blazed over target.
Abafana Besthende continued to probe and levelled with 20 minutes to go after Velemseni Ndwandwe's snap shot in the area from Mutizwa's cutback deflected beyond Chaine.
The Buccaneers found courage again and went back ahead in the dying minutes when Terrence Dzvukamanja headed in Saleng's pin-point cross from the near post.
Abafana Besthende were cut open again as Vincent Pule beat the offside trap and ran clear to slot in the bottom-corner and capped off a thrilling encounter that ended victorious for the Sea Robbers
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Shandu, Xoki, Sibisi, Maela, Timm, Monare, Dlamini, Hotto, Saleng, Erasmus
Subs: Mpontshane, Mabena, Pule, Dzvukamanja, Martin, Mako, Makgopa, Ndlondlo, Motshwari.
Golden Arrows: Mlungwana, Hlatshwayo, Lunga, Nxadi, Ndlovu, Sibiya, Dube, Dlamini, Mmodi, Makhubela, Mutizwa
Subs: Mbatha, Shitolo, Mantshiyane, Magubane, Gumbi, Nkosi, Moon, Ndwandwe
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In